Chauncey Rowan, 88

Tuesday

Dec 23, 2008 at 2:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —

Chauncey Rowan, 88, passed away Nov. 23, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a short illness. He was the husband of Margaret Horner Van Keuren Rowan and the late Patricia Taylor Rowan. He was born in Elmira, N.Y., the son of the late Howard and Agnes Rowan. He was a graduate of Ellenville, N.Y., High School and Hamilton College, Class of 1949. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Forces as a P-47D combat fighter pilot, stationed at Radon Field, Norwich, England. He flew more than 50 missions before his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Germany on May 21, 1944. He was held as a POW for the remainder of the war. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air medals and two European Operations Theater Campaign Ribbons. He attained the rank of major. He was a New York Bell Telephone (Pioneer) retiree. He also worked in Tehran, Iran, for AT&T and American Bell International. He and his wife Patricia were forced to leave Iran and return to the States due to the unstable conditions created by the ouster of the shah.

His interests included golf; he attained a 4 handicap and was a member of several golf clubs, including Glens Falls, Pine-

hurst, Bay Hill, and Yahnundasis. He won the Post Star Cup tournament at Glens Fall Country Club. He sailed and raced Star sailboats on the Finger Lakes in New York, and he helped build and sail iceboats on Lake George, N.Y. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, along with his father, brothers, and son Nick. As a young man, he played the clarinet as a member of Clayton's Band in Ellenville, N.Y. He enjoyed painting oil-paint portraits, especially of his children, friends and relatives. He studied oil painting with F.A. Barney in Auburn, N.Y., and continued his study of painting well into his senior years. He had a continued interest in flying and enjoyed the opportunity to fly again in later life. He enjoyed being active in reunions with his Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force, 350th Squadron, and 353rd group. He stayed close to many friends, fellow pilots, and relatives via the Internet. He traveled to revisit Radon field for a fighter group reunion where he was based in England. He also attended several Air Force Fighter Group reunions in the States. His recollection of his imprisonment as a POW in Germany and pictures of himself on his fighter plane can be seen on the Internet by searching Chauncey Rowan on www.Google.com.

He is survived by his three children by his first wife, the late Patricia Taylor Rowan: son Stephen and daughter-in-law Michele of Brewster, son Nicholas of East Sandwich and daughter Julia of Lynn; grandson Patrick and granddaughter Katherine, both of Brewster; nephew Peter Rowan of Plymouth, N.H.; sister-in-law Virgie Rowan of Laguna Woods, Calif.; cousin Georgia Rowan Howland of Binghamton, N.Y.; and his wife Margaret Horner Rowan and her son Peter Van Keuren of Chesterton, Ind. His late wife, Patricia Taylor Rowan, childhood sweetheart and mother of his children, died in 1994. His brothers Wilford and James also preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday May 2, 2009, at St. Mary's Church, 3055 Main St., Route 6A, in Barnstable Village. Following Chauncey's wishes, an additional service will be at Arlington National Cemetery. For additional information, please contact Stephen by e-mailing seapines@verizon.net or call Nick at 508-274-2586.